Carnival style urinal and toilet mechanism and target game

ABSTRACT

This invention is a carnival style urinal and toilet mechanism target game designed to entertain, reduce spillage, increase sanitation and provide health data from users. A water sensor attaches to an electronic control assembly configured to control a plurality of outputs. A user urinates on the sensor whereby a plurality of outputs are controlled by thresholds in the electronic control assembly which includes sound and lighting effects when sufficient force objective is met.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

62/288,631

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None

SEQUENCE LISTING

None

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to toilet accessories and, moreparticularly, to toilet accessories designed to entertain, preventspillage, increase sanitation by drawing the user's attention to thetarget in the toilet, and providing health metrics based from analysisof urine through the system.

BACKGROUND

Spillage from stray urination creates significant hygiene and sanitationproblems. Urine, while sterile from the body, quickly becomes ahospitable environment for harmful microbes. This spillage also createsa foul odor when it cannot be washed away and increases the frequencythe toilet and surrounding area must be cleaned.

Urinalysis is a set of screening tests that can detect some commondiseases. It may be used to screen for and/or help diagnose conditionssuch as a urinary tract infections, kidney disorders, liver problems,diabetes or other metabolic conditions, in addition to a reliable sourceindicator of alcohol levels in the body.

There are a variety of existing toilet accessories designed to entertainand focus the aim of the user in use today. Toilet training apparatusdesigned to teach young males to urinate in the center of the toilet arenumerous. For example, one such prior art device comprises anon-removable bulls-eye target which is adhesively connected to theinterior walls of the toilet bowl below water surface so as to bevisible through the water in the toilet bowl such as that disclosed inthe U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,405 issued to Joel S. Kreiss on Aug. 30, 1977.Due to its permanent stationary position within the toilet bowl however,the Kreiss device typically becomes commonplace and often times boringto children and additionally possess difficulty in affixing the deviceto the interior wall of the toilet bowl. The present invention maintainsthe attention of the user because a variable picture can be substitutedwhen a previous becomes boring. Additionally, the locomotive propertiesof the present invention hold the interest of users longer.

Another prior art device comprises a rotatable propeller suspended bystruts over the toilet bowl. The struts are connected by a ball andsocket joint arrangement to a suction cup, which is then in turnattached to the external walls of the toilet such as that disclosed inthe U.S. Pat. No. 2,703,407 issued to R. E. Henock et al. on Mar. 8,1955. Due to the permanent attachment and suspension of the deviceadjacent to the toilet bowl, the use of the Henock device typically hasproven awkward, unsanitary and additionally detracts from the normal useof the toilet by others. The present invention promotes cleanliness byallowing for interchangeable parts to be cleaned.

Some toilet training devices use a thin paper stock element adapted tofloat in a planar configuration upon the water surface within the toiletbowl for prolonged duration and upon contact with urine, rapidly sinkwithin the toilet bowl and become flushable through the toilet bowlwaste drain system such as that disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,515issued to Wendy White and Moreno White Jr. on Jun. 2, 1992. However,this device requires a new element to be manually added with each use.Further, these devices are targeted toward training children, notentertaining adults. The present invention does not need to be replacedafter each use and entertains adults as well as children. Additionally,the present invention does not require standing water to function.

Prior art regarding toilet entertainment apparatus for adults fails toconveniently, effectively, and cheaply achieve the desired results ofcleanliness and entertainment. For example, a device produces a movingtarget on the surface of the water in a toilet bowl such as thatdisclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,867 issued to Craig Buchanan onJul. 27, 1999. The target is an illuminated pattern, words or designvisible in all light conditions and emanating from a housing mountedonto the toilet itself or a wall or ceiling above the toilet. The targetmay change position continuously or discontinuously. By changing itsposition, it greatly increases spillage by the user attempting to hitthe target. Additionally, this device requires costly electronicequipment and processors. These devices inevitably become dirty,decreasing the clarity of the projected image and its entertainmentvalue and requiring time intensive cleaning. The present inventionprovides the needed adult entertainment for significantly reduced cost.

Other devices fail to adequately engage the adult. For example, a targetcomprised of multi-colored circles and corresponding number valuesmanufactured or painted onto the toilet may lose the attention of someusers such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,373,673 issued to GloriaL. Holland on May 2, 2006. This device cannot be conveniently added toexisting toilets, requiring an owner to purchase an entirely new toilet.The present invention can be added to a multitude of existing toilets.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a toilet game which entertainsadults and children, affixes to a variety of toilets, and overcomestraditional unsanitary measures common in the prior art, in addition toproviding health and medical data to the user via urinalysis.

SUMMARY

The object of the present invention to provide a low cost entertainmentsystem for a toilet or urinal that employs a sensor with a targetattached to an electronic liquid dispersal system. In a certainembodiment, the invention consists of an electronic control assembly, asensor, and a semi-rigid tube. In an alternative embodiment, theinvention consists of a clear plastic housing attached to a speaker withan integrated tubing for cleaning solution, main housing for powersource, and a urinalysis meter.

One embodiment of the invention includes an electronic control assemblyconsisting of a pump, a power source, and internal circuitry. Theinternal circuitry is configured to activate a series of lights when awater sensor is activated. When the internal circuitry reaches athreshold point, a pump is activated to disperse a liquid through asemi-rigid tube with regularly spaced apertures applying the liquid tothe walls of the toilet.

One embodiment of the invention secures a sensor to the rim of a toiletbowl via a clamp mechanism such as a “C” clamp. A clamp composed ofmaterials sufficiently strong to withstand the downward force of a waterstream applied to the sensor and/or ornamental object such aspolyethylene terephthalate attaches to the rim of a toilet bowl. A watersensor attached to a clamp extends towards the center of the toilet bowlsufficient to extend beyond any obstruction to a user's urine stream.When urination occurs, a user will aim the stream at a water sensor. Insome embodiments, a water sensor has an ornamental object fastened to itto attract a user's attention. An ornamental object may consist of animage or other attractive figure. A water sensor will transmit viatypical wireless protocols or direct wired transmission to a controlbox. A control box will transmit the appropriate electrical signals tothe semi-rigid tube.

In a certain embodiment, as a user applies a stream on a sensor, aseries of lights will progressively activate around the underside of thetoilet depending on the duration of the stream with a sensor. As theduration of contact increases, additional lights will be activated. Ifall lights are activated, a pump will be activated to disperse toiletcleaning solution or other liquid through the semi-rigid tube.

Another embodiment of the invention includes an alternative outputcharacteristic whereby in lieu or in addition to the cleaning solutiondispersion, music will play, rewarding the user for maintaining thestream against the sensor for the requisite amount of time.

Another embodiment of the invention includes communicating with anddisplaying on a screen near the toiler and/or urinal feedback based oncontact with a sensor, such as an increasing point value as intraditional games.

In one embodiment, a semi-rigid tube will consist of an elongated hollowtube. The elongated tube will include a series of lights and a series ofequidistant apertures. A hollow tube will connect the semi-rigid tubecircumnavigating the toilet bowl to the pump inside the electroniccontrol apparatus. A series of lights incorporated into the hollow tubewill activate as described above.

One embodiment of the invention includes lights embedded in thesemi-rigid tube circumnavigating the underside of the toilet bowlfastened via suction cups to the wall of the toilet.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a splatter guard arrangedto the rear of the water sensor to reduce spillage.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a vertical track thatattaches to the wall of a urinal.

In one embodiment, a medical urine analysis device will collect samplesof users and display the results of the user. Additionally oralternatively, the results can be sent through wireless protocols to theuser's mobile device.

This summary is not intended to identify key features or essentialfeatures of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used asan aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Additional features and advantages of exemplary implementations of thepresent disclosure will be set forth below, and in part will be obviousfrom the description, or may be learned by the practice of suchexemplary implementations. The features and advantages of suchimplementations may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentsand combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Theseand other features will become more fully apparent from the followingdescription and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice ofsuch exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS AND FIGURES

FIG. 001 (FIG. 1) illustrates an overhead view diagram of a portion ofthe device comprising the sensor, light display, and dispersionapparatus.

FIG. 002 (FIG. 2) illustrates a diagram of the control assembly, pump,and storage container.

FIG. 003 (FIG. 3) illustrates a side perspective view of the deviceattached to a toilet.

FIG. 004 (FIG. 4) illustrates a front perspective view on an alternativedevice that attaches adjacent to a urinal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described in detail with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings andfigures, in which like reference numerals are used to indicate identicalor functionally similar elements. References to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodimentdescribed may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, that every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within theknowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure,or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or notexplicitly described.

The following examples are illustrative, but not limiting, of thepresent invention. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of thevariety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in the field,and which would be apparent to those skilled in the art, are within thespirit and scope of the invention.

One embodiment of the invention includes an electronic control assemblyconsisting of a pump 7, a storage container 6, and internal circuitry 5.The internal circuitry 5 is configured to activate a series of lights 2when a water sensor 1 is activated. When the internal circuitry 5reaches a threshold point through input from the sensor 1, a pump 7 isactivated, causing a liquid contained in the storage container 6 to beforced through a semi-rigid tube 4 with regularly spaced apertures 3applying the liquid to the walls of the toilet.

In a certain embodiment, as a user applies a stream on a sensor 1, aseries of lights 2 will progressively activate around the underside ofthe toilet depending on the duration of the stream with a sensor. Thelonger the sensor 1 is activated, the further the progression of lights2 will activate. As the duration of contact increases, additional lights2 will be activated in a plurality of pattern dictated by the controlassembly. If all lights 2 are activated, a pump 7 will be activated todisperse toilet cleaning solution or other liquid through the semi-rigidtube 4. Once the pump 7 has been activated, the lights 2 will deactivateuntil additional input is received.

One embodiment of the invention secures a sensor to the rim of a toiletbowl via a clamp mechanism such as a “C” clamp. A clamp composed ofmaterials sufficiently strong to withstand the downward force of a waterstream applied to the sensor 1 and/or ornamental object such aspolyethylene terephthalate attaches to the rim of a toilet bowl. A watersensor 1 attached to a clamp extends towards the center of the toiletbowl sufficient to extend beyond any obstruction to a user's urinestream. When urination occurs, a user will aim the stream at a watersensor 1. In some embodiments, a water sensor 1 has an ornamental objectfastened to it to attract a user's attention. An ornamental object mayconsist of an image or other attractive figure. A water sensor 1 willtransmit via typical wireless protocols or direct wired transmission toa control assembly. A control assembly will transmit the appropriateelectrical signals to activate the pump 7 and lights 2.

Another embodiment of the invention includes an alternative outputcharacteristic whereby in lieu or in addition to the cleaning solutiondispersion, music will play, rewarding the user for maintaining thestream against the sensor for the requisite amount of time.

Another embodiment of the invention includes communicating with anddisplaying on a screen near the toiler and/or urinal feedback based oncontact with a sensor 1, such as an increasing point value as intraditional games.

In one embodiment, a semi-rigid tube 4 will consist of an elongatedhollow tube. The elongated tube will include a series of lights 2 and aseries of equidistant apertures 3. A hollow tube 4 will connect thesemi-rigid tube circumnavigating the toilet bowl to the pump 7 insidethe electronic control apparatus. A series of lights 2 incorporated intothe hollow tube will activate as described above.

One embodiment of the invention includes lights 2 embedded in thesemi-rigid tube circumnavigating the underside of the toilet bowlfastened via suction cups to the wall of the toilet.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a splatter guard arrangedto the rear of the water sensor to reduce spillage.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a vertical track thatattaches to the wall of a urinal.

In one embodiment, a medical urine analysis device will collect samplesof users and display the results of the user. Additionally oralternatively, the results can be sent through wireless protocols to theuser's mobile device.

In a certain embodiment, a user would urinate on a piezoelectric forcesensor of common design attached to a series of LED lights in linearsuccession upward through vertical chain in response cumulative forcefrom the user. At the instance a user produces a result of the top lightbeing reached due to urination flow, the objective is met and theattached speaker sounds a general chime or other musical algorithm. Atthe instance the object is met, the attached pump is actuated to releasecleaning solution for the benefit of the user and sanitation of theurinal. Additionally, attached lights on the apparatus will activated tosignify the completed objective by the user for a particular urinationsession. A cumulative force variable reset occurs in the system and theLED light series turns off and the system resets.

We claim:
 1. An entertainment apparatus enabling a user to actuate anoutput comprising: an input unit comprised of a liquid activated sensorconfigured to activate an electronic control apparatus; a target meansto attract the attention of a user, a target being located in the nearproximity to the input unit; a semi-rigid hollow tube; an electroniccontrol apparatus comprising of a pump, a power source, and internalcircuitry; a plurality of outputs; wherein the input actuates theelectronic control apparatus, wherein the electronic control apparatusactuates the output, and, wherein the entertainment apparatus isattached underneath a rim of a toilet bowl.
 2. The system as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the output is comprised of cleaning fluid to bedispersed via a series of equidistant apertures in the semi-rigid hollowtube, and, the output is additionally comprised of a series of lightssequentially activated, located in the hollow tube.
 3. The system asclaimed in claims 1 and 2, further comprised of a urine analysis device,the urine analysis device being located near the sensor.
 4. The systemas claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the output is further comprised ofmusic, emanating from a music emanating device and speaker located nearthe electronic control apparatus.
 5. The system as claimed in claims 1and 2, wherein, the output is further comprised of electronic data sentto an electronic display device, and an electronic display deviceconfigured to receive the output, located near the assembly.
 6. A systemwherein a user urinates on a piezoelectric force sensor with asufficient force that triggers a succession of upward vertical chainlighting in response to force of urinated liquid, light flash and soundfrom a speaker is triggered when sufficient liquid objective is met,pump activated to release cleaning solution when sufficient liquidobjective is met, cumulative force will produce a variable reset of thesystem and light flash disengages.
 7. The system as claimed in claims 1,2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, wherein the assembly is attached inside a urinal. 8.The system as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, wherein theassembly is attached adjacent to a urinal